Photography Chair for the Alberta Summer Games | Torch Relay

This summer I had the pleasure of being the Chair of Photography for the Alberta Summer Games. As the Chair, I managed a team of around 10 different volunteer photographers as they photographed 14 sports, as well as, the opening ceremonies. Our goal was not to simply photograph the events, games and matches, but to try and capture the true spirit of the games. If you have ever been a part of such an large event, you know that the Games are for the athletes, but the spirit of the games not only comes from them. It also comes from the amazing volunteers, coaches, and spectators.

Since I took thousands of photographs myself over the course of the Games, I thought that I would share some of my favourites from the different events I covered over the weekend. Starting with the torch relay. A big shout out to the folks at Atco Gas who let me ride on the back of their lead vehicle so I could capture the relay without actually running alongside the participants. It was such a fun day to see so many local people out showing their support. Here are just a handful of the images I captured that day.

Calgary Commercial Lifestyle Photography | Food Tours

Last summer, I collaborated with the amazing video team at Parfait Productions to create a set of images and a video for Alberta Food Tours. When the pandemic hit, this company had to pivot BIG TIME so they developed an app to help people continue doing the food tours they loved to provide via a fun game called the Alberta Food Finder game. We did three different sets of images. This is the first set showing the friends playing the game and enjoying some fun food along the way. We got to stop by Crave Cupcakes for a sweet treat; Pulcinella for a glass of wine and a slice of pizza; and the Container Bar to round it out. To say we were stuffed is an understatement!! As the world opens up, it might be a fun activity for you to play the game with your friends and family while you explore some hidden gems in one of Calgary’s coolest neighbourhoods Kensington. Find the app here.

And, if you need lifestyle images for your business, I’d love to chat with you!!

Out On The Farm

I always feel like each of my family sessions are unique to the family featured in them. And, every family is so unique that maybe there lacks a certain ‘flow’ to my portfolio when my goal is to simply capture them as they are in that moment. At times, I have definitely struggled with that lack of consistency and worried about what my peers might say, but right now, I am embracing that. I see it as a reflection of my ability to truly see people and reflect their uniqueness back to them in my own quirky way.

So, this family is extremely unique…sometimes they live in town…sometimes they live on the farm. This little girl has a half brother(and another half sibling on the way) plus step parents and a strong network of friends that feel like family(or at least that’s the sense I got from the time I spent with them). So, for me…the very last image is super special as it shows this little girl sitting with her half brother while her mom adjusts her hair and her step mom adjusts her half brother because IT TAKES A VILLAGE plus TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK. I kinda love that image as an example of modern day family. The things that stick out about a scene in front of you is what makes each photographer’s vision important. Like the ‘mystery box pick with eyes closed’ image. Or the one of mom and daughter in the kitchen(mom is an amazing cook—she turned me on to making my own pickled red onions for which my family is forever grateful). So, during a session when I am chatting with you and asking all sorts of curious questions…it’s really just my way of getting to know what’s important to you…without necessarily coming right out and asking that question. I just like to see what you are going to show me and somehow incorporate that into the images I create.

The mom in this image is also my friend and fellow photographer, Ash Nayler. Make sure to go take a look at her amazing work as well. And, if she ever offers to cook you a meal out on the farm—do not hesitate to accept.

Triple Flip | Calgary Commercial Photographer

Something a little bit different for me. I worked with Triple Flip Clothing on one of their recent Flip Girls Photo Shoots. Here are some of my favourite images.

I'm slowly trying to build my commercial portfolio and would love to work with other local brands. Especially once I have my own studio in the spring!!

~ Dana